I had another idea though, but wonder how it could be set up. Everyone knows the Mirage kayaks have no reverse, but what about installing a retractable bulkhead, like a jet ski or something. Up against the hull, it would be fairly out of the way to resistance, and maybe pull a string or something (such as the way the rudder is set up) and bulkhead down/up...

I like that....would that be a manual transmission or automatic My primary question was directed towards the PA specifically, as I have heard that it can be a PIA to paddle....can't wait to get one though.

I wouldn't count on the voice activated either. At the age it might have been useful, mine were responding with "why" or "huh"? I'd go with the installed reverse. I've needed it all of maybe once so far. That was more to just check to see if it worked. Then I put it back where it was and continued on fishing. I consider it my second means of propulsion if absolutely needed. I'd not win a race but I'd get somewhere that I thought I needed to be. The sail helps me too. It might not be the best sailing unit out there, but it is propulsion. Regular ole multi propulsion senior fisherdude. I like it.

I am looking at the PA just for clarification you can rotate the drive 180? to get the reverse. I need to know we have red drum that hide in the shoals here and all the paddlers have to anchor and cast then once they get a hit, haul both the anchor and themselves out away from the tidal break while fighting the 80lb drum. If I can put the drive in "reverse" then i could have both hands free to get one of those beauties in.

I think that is why they also give you a paddle, Reverse is just at your finger tips LOL It is not hard to paddle backwards and I think it is WAY EASIER than switching the Mirage drive around or making any other kind of mod to make the peddles reverse the water flow.Also turning I sometimes dont use my rudder it is just too easy to use the paddle to make sudden corrections. Just a thought.

Wow, this thread is getting some activity Anyway, I agree with both sides....flipping the Mirage would be nice, but, an inconvenience I think; just to go a short distance in reverse. Now if your intention was to pedal in reverse all the time but I doubt it. The only way I could see it being an attribute is if the drive were easier to get in and out of the drive well, but even then, probably a PIA when you can just unlatch a paddle Hey, the PA is considered a boat....how about some bow thrusters and ballast tanks